Memdrial Service, 



,53 
E57 



Chapter of Sorrow 



Opdep of t^e Ea^tepn $t&p, 



AEDIE C, S.'ENE-LE, 





%sMlkm 




DEC 101888 

TNDIANAPOLIS.^^^TO^/ 

Rev. Willis D. Engle, Publisher. 



^ 



ME MD RIAL Seryice, 



Chapter of Sorrow 



Opdep of t^e Ea^tepn gt&P, 



AnniE C, S, ENG-LE. 



%n 



i 




INDIANAPOLIS', INI).: 

Rev. Willis D. Engle, Publisher. 






TO 
THE MEMORY OF 

ROB. MORRIS, 

FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR, 

THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



Copyrighted 1888, by Mrs. A. C. S. Engle. 



Rob. Morris, 

July 31, 1888. 



The harp which late so sweetly rang 
Hangs stringless now and still ; 

The master wakes its chords no more 
Obedient to his will. 

O, who shall wake again that lyre 
And sing onr Order's weal? 

Who follow in his steps, and to 
Our vows be ever leal ? 

The cause he loved he honored well, 

Its light he followed far ; 
Death's gloomy vale was all illumed 

By Bethlehem's Holy Star.] 

To chant with joy Redemption's song 
May voice to him be given, 

The song of Moses and the Lamb, 
The melody of heaven. 



(3) 



SUGGESTIONS. 

The wide-spreading growth of the Order of the Eastern 
Star has caused an increasing demand for a service, sup- 
plementing the prescribed Funeral Ceremonies, in com- 
memoration of those who, year by year, are taken by the 
stern reaper, Death, and the following has been prepared 
and is submitted to the Order, to in some measure supply 
the need. Originality only is claimed for it, and if it is 
found useful for the purpose for which it is intended, its 
author will be satisfied. 

The ceremonies may be rendered either publicly or 
privately. The chapter room and furniture should be 
appropriately draped, and there should be a small table 
east of" the altar, between Adah and Electa, as a memorial 
shrine, on which should rest a wire design of a five-pointed 
star, in the points and center of which the floral filling 
may be deposited by the proper officers as the ceremonies 
proceed. It is preferable that the star should be so filled, 
but in case it is not practicable, a floral star may rest on the 
shrine, and flowers of appropriate colors may be deposited 
by the various officers. 

The star officers should be each supplied with a triangu- 
lar form, filled with appropriately colored flowers, the 
forms of the right size to drop into the proper point of 
the star design on the shrine ; or with flowers of appro- 
priate colors to place in the floral star already resting 
there. The Worthy Matron should have a five-sided form 
filled with white flowers, for the center of the star, or 
white flowers to place in the center of the floral star. 
She should also have a separate white rose, white lily, or tube 
rose, which she should wear until she deposits it on shrine. 

The Associate Matron should have a green wreath large 
enough to encircle star on shrine. The Secretary should 
have a scroll on which is inscribed the names and dates of 
birth and death of those in whose memory the service is 
held. The Treasurer should have a key. 

The Conductress should have a small Bible, and the 
Associate Conductress should have a membership badge 
and the official jewels of any officers whose memories are 
commemorated, each properly draped. 

Vocal and instrumental music are indispensable to the 
proper rendering of the ceremonies. 

The members should be previously instructed, that all 
the responses may be heartily given. 
(4) 



Opening Ceremony. 



[ The Worthy Patron will call members and guests to order 
and say : ] 
W. P. — Sister Associate Conductress, you will invite 
the Worthy Matron and her officers to enter the chapter 
room. 

[Worthy Patron calls up chapter, while officers enter to slow 
music. Conductress escorts W. M. to dais, who says :] 

W. M. — We will join in singing : 

HYMN. 

(Air— "Friend after Friend Departs") 

As we life's journey tread, 

How thick stand burial urns ! 
How often comes the warning dread 

That dust to dust returns ! 

Alas my daughter, Jephthah's cry 

Still echoes down the years, 
Still Rachel mourns for those who die 

With bitter, blinding tears. « 

What wilt thou, mourner pale ? 

To have those here again 
Whom God hath called from this dark vale 

Of sin, and grief, and pain ? 

Nay ! Round our columns riven 

Let evergreen o'er climb, 
Fit type of Life Immortal given 

Beyond the shores of time. 

And who is this, whose word 

Can lift the mourner's gloom ? 
The same whom sorrowing Martha heard 
By Lazarus's sealed tomb. 

" Be still !" He gently says, 

"And know that I am God ! 
" God's ways are not like human ways, 

" Submissive meet the rod. 

" Then in the Easter morn 

" Of God's eternal yt*ws.c / s± 
" The dead in Christ shall rise, new born, 

"And live ! Believest this ? " 
(5) 



W. M. — Sister Warder, please direct the Sentinel to 
allow none to enter the chapter room until further orders. 

[Warder opens door without knocks.] 
Warder. — Worthy Matron, the Sentinel has received 
your instruction. 

[W. M. seats chapter.] 

W. M. — Sisters, brothers and friends : We have met 
to commemorate those of our number who have passed on 
before us to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. 
Worthy Patron, what is your station in a chapter of 
sorrow ? 

[As each, officer is addressed he or she should rise and remain 
standing until the close of the opening ceremony.] 

W. P. — My station is in the East, which is the source 
of Light, and admonishes me of my duty in this memo- 
rial service, which is to direct the minds of all to the 
Great Light of God's Word, and its comforting assurances 
to the bereaved. 

W. M. — Sister Associate Matron, explain your duty in 
a chapter of sorrow ? 

A. M. — My duty is to impart the lesson conveyed by 
my badge of office, the refulgent sun, which teaches that 
the Sun of Righteousness can gild even the darkness of 
the grave and render forever radiant the land immortal. 

IV. M. — Sister Secretary, explain your duty? 

Sec^y. — To teach the solemn lesson that soon for all of 
us the record of our earthly life will be forever closed, 
its lessons all repeated, its golden opportunities forever 
past, and that then the most momentous of all questions 
will be whether our names are inscribed in the Lamb's 
Book of Life. 

W. M. — Sister Treasurer, explain your duty. 

7'reas. — To teach the lesson that only such treasures as 
are laid where neither moth nor rust corrupt will be of 
use to us when called to render an account of life's labors- 
(6) 



W. M. — Sister Conductress, explain your duty. 

Con. — To remind my sisters and brothers that the laby- 
rinth of life is beset with perils, and that only One can so 
guide the traveler as to bring him safe to the heavenly 
goal. 

W. M. — Sister Associate Conductress, explain your duty. 

A. C. — My duty is to remind my sisters and brothers 
that due preparation must be made for the solemn myste- 
ries of Eternity. 

W. yJ/.— Sisters Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and 
Electa, you severally represent the rays of our guiding 
star. What lessons are we to derive from your stations 
there ? 

Adxh. — My color, blue, the emblem of truth and fidelity, 
teaches us that those virtues must adorn our lives here to 
fit us for the life unending. 

Ruth. — My color, yellow, the emblem of constancy, 
teaches us that we must be faithful in little things, must 
glean closely in any harvest field, if we would receive the 
" Well done " of the Master. 

Esther. — My color, white, the emblem of purity, teaches 
us that our earth stains must all be cleansed away before 
we will be worthy to appear with those who walk in 
white raiment on the "hills of God." 

Martha. — My color, green, the emblem of life on earth 
and of immortality, teaches us belief in Him who said 
" Because I live, ye shall live also." 

Elect i. — My color, red, the emblem of fervency, of 
suffering and of love, reminds us of that Love which 
suffered even unto death, that thereby He might conquer 
the grave. 

W. M. — Sister Warder, from your station within the 
door of our chapter room, and from that of the Sentinel, 
which is outside, are there no lessons to be drawn ? 
(7) 



> Warder. — We would remind our sisters and brothers 

that 

" There is no fold, however watched and tended, 
But one dead lamb is there ; 
There is no fireside, howsoe'r defended, 
But has one vacant chair," 

And that the utmost vigilance on our part can not pre- 
vent the entrance of the Death Angel into our chapter 
room. 

W. M. — Let us unite with the Worthy Patron (or chap- 
lain) in prayer. 

[Calls up chapter.] 

PRAYER. 

O God, whose days are without end, make us, we 
beseech Thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and un- 
certainty of human life, and the need of careful prepara- 
tion for the great hereafter. We thank Thee for the 
blessed assurance in Thy Word that our Lord Jesus Christ 
is the Resurrection and the Life in Whom whosoever 
believeth shall live though he die ; and for the hope we 
have that the friendships which brighten our earthly 
pilgrimage are continued beyond the grave, and that 
although we mourn, it is not as those without hope. Be 
with us in these solemn services ; comfort us with a sense 
of Thy love, and the knowledge that Thou dost never 
willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. May we 
follow the leadings of the Star in the East until we too 
lay down the burdens of life, when unto us may an abun- 
dant entrance be given into the glories of the New 
Jerusalem. Amen. 

Response. — So may it ever be. 

W. M. — In loving commemoration of those who have 
passed through the labyrinth of earth, and entered the 
unknown life beyond, I now declare this chapter of sor- 
row duly opened. 

[Seats the chapter.] 
(8) 



W. M. — Sister Warder, inform the Sentinel that the 
chapter is now opened. 

[Warder opens door without raps.] 

Warder. — Worthy Matron, the Sentinel has received 
your instructions. 

[Here will follow such memorial addresses, obituary notices, eu- 
logies, etc., as may be desired. Recitations and vocal music 
of an appropriate character may be interspersed.] 



Closing Ceremony. 



W. M. — Sister Warder, please direct the Sentinel to 
allow none to enter the chapter room during our closing 
service. 

[Warder opens door without raps.] 

Warder — Worthy Matron, the Sentinel has received 
your instructions. 

W. M, — Worthy Patron, will you instruct us in the 
lessons and duties of this occasion ? 

W. P. — We have listened to the expressions of loving 
regret concerning those who once met with us in this 
chapter room who formed with us the golden chain, and 
at this altar offered the same vows and prayers as our- 
selves. They have bowed before that last enemy of the 
human race, and the places here which were once 
brightened by their presence shall know them no more 
forever. But their memories will be enshrined in our 
hearts until we too pass beyond the river. From this 
solemn memorial service we learn the uncertainty of life, 
the certainty of death, and the importance of the present 
moment, which alone is ours. 

The name of our Order implies a belief in the Hand 
which centuries ago led the lowly shepherds on the plains 
(9) 



of Bethlehem to the Infant Christ ; and its teachings 
impress the truths it was part of the Saviour's mission to 
convey. 

Truth, Constancy, Purity, Faith and Charity, the five 
virtues distinctly taught by our Order, were urged upon 
His followers by Him who was named in prophecy the 
Word of God, the Lily of the Valley, the Sun of 
Righteousness, the Lamb of God and the Lion of the 
tribe of Judah. Those who have listened to the lectures 
received in this room must have recognized the types 
therein explained. Scripture teaches that the Immacu- 
late Son of God offered Hi? life in fulfillment of His 
Father's vow that the soul that sinneth it shall die ; that 
He forsook His heavenly home for the manger cradle ; 
that He interposed Him-elf t) rescue His people from 
their certain and eternal doom ; that He relied with a 
greater than Martha's faith upon His Father and His 
God; and that, like the martyrs of every age, having 
yielded all else, He sealed His testimony with His blood. 

All these lessons fit us for usefulness and happiness 
here, but in an hour like this, none are so comforting as 
the belief of Martha that the apparent closing of the 
Christian's life is really but a pause — a turning of the 
leaf — to commence a page of new and grand inscription 
where the record shall be undisfigured by sin, and un- 
stained by tears. The friends we mourn have entered 
upon that vast, inconceivable phase of existence we call 
eternity, and as they used the talents intrusted to them 
so will be their reward. 

It only remains for us, when we have placed our dead 
out of our sight, to assist, if necessary, those they may 
have left behind, and to carry out the work they left 
undone. If their aims and efforts were ennobling and 
worthy, the promotion of those aims by us will be their 

(10) 



most fitting monument. The lesson of this hour is that 
we too are fast nearing 

" The silent, unknown stream," 
and that soon these services may be held in our memory. 
Let us so live that when our summons comes we may 
depart in the comfort of a religious and holy hope, 
leaving the testimony of a useful, unselfish life, and an 
earnest faith in a blissful immortality. May it then be 
said of us — They are not, for God took them. 

W. M. — In the Ritual of the Order of the Eastern 
Star the, color types form an important part of its impres- 
sive lessons. At this time we use the fragrant flowers as 
most expressive of our emotions. They are as beautiful 
as the graces of a lovely character, and as fragrant as the 
memory such leave — a rich legacy to those who come 
after them. In our Order they suggest many things 
which they do not to the outside world, and it is there- 
fore appropriate that in the obsequies of our loved and lost 
they should bear an important part. 

[Taking cluster of white flowers she descends to east side of 
shrine.] 

It is peculiarly fitting that those officers who conducted 
candidates through the mysteries of our chapter work- 
should assist when we commemorate those who have en- 
tered the sublime mysteries of the Grand Chapter beyond. 

Sister Adah, please present your tribute to our memo- 
rial star. 

[As each Star officer is addressed she will rise, and, during her 
respouse, she will place her point, or flowers, in proper place 
iu star on shrine slowly and carefully, and return to place and 
stand there.] 

Adah. — These blue flowers, symbolizing truth and 
fidelity, I place here as a token of our fidelity to the 
memory of the depxrted members of our Order. 

W. M.— Sister Ruth. 

(11) 



Ruth. — These yellow flowers, symbolizing constancy, I 
place here as a token of our loyalty to the friends pres- 
ent and the friends who have only gene before. 
W. M.— Sister Esther. 

Esther. — These white flowers, symbolizing purity, I 
place here as an emblem of the purity of the ties which 
bind us to each other. 

W. ^/.—Sister Martha. 

Martha. — These green ferns (or sprigs), symbolizing 
immortality, I place here as expressive of our belief 
that 

" There is no death ; what seems so is transition : 
This life of mortal breath 
Is but a suburb of the life elysian, 
Whose portal we call— Death." 

W. M.— Sister Electa. 

Electa. — These red flowers, symbolizing fervency, I 
place here as evidence of the fervency of our esteem for 
those we mourn to-day. 

W. M. — Sister Associate Conductress, what is your 
offering ? 
[Associate Conductress presents membership badge, and also, if 

an officer has died, the proper jewel, depositing same on shrine 

at north side of floral star.] 

A. C— This, the regalia worn by every member of our 
Order (and the jewel of the office which was this year left 
vacant), which I deposit upon our memorial shrine to 
remind us that all earthly robing, and all earthly honors 
are but dross ; and that we must be clothed upon with 
Christ's righteousness if we would be His in that day 
when He maketh up His jewels. 

[Takes position, standing between Martha and Electa.] 

W. M. — Sister Conductress, what is your offering? 

Conductress — 

[Presenting small Bible and placing it on shrine at south side of 
star.] 

This, that Word which is as a lamp unto the feet and 

(12) 



a light unto the path, that through the weary labyrinth 
of life we may never miss the tender leading of Bethle- 
hem's Star, until for us it shall gild the portal of the 
heavenly city whose Builder and Maker is God. 

[Takes position standing between Ruth and Esther.] 
W. M. — Sister Treasurer, what offering have you? 
Treasurer. — 

[Coming to shrine and placing key beside badge.] 
This, the key, an emblem of security, reminding us 
that the treasures we have here in earthen vessels, if secu- 
rely guarded, will be ours more abundantly when, for us, 
the portals of heaven shall be unlocked. 

[Retires to position between Electa and W. M.] 
W. M. — Sister Secretary, what offering have you ? 
Secretary — 

[Coming to shrine and placing roll beside Bible.] 

This, a memorial scroll, inscribed with loving care, 
which is expressive of the record left on the tablet of memory 
and reminds us that all earthly records must perish ; but 
that there remaineth a Book of Remembrance for those 
that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His Name. 
[Retires to position between Adah and Ruth.] 

W. M. — Sister and Brothers of Chapter, does 

our sister express the emotions of your hearts when she 
says that those whose names she has written are held in 
loving remembrance ? 

Members. — Even so ! 

W. M. — Sister Associate Matron, what have you to 
offer ? 

A. M.— 
[Proceeding to shrine and placing wreath over the star, so that 

same is encircled.] 

This wreath, symbolizing in its endless form the vast 
cycle of God's eternal years, I place here as a token of our 
trust that the fraternal chain severed so often and so 
(13) 



rudely will one day be reunited where we shall miss no 
broken links. 

[Retires to position between Esther and Martha.] 
W. M. — My Sisters, " flowers are Love's truest lan- 
guage," and you have sweetly expressed the language of 
our hearts as we remember those we would honor at this 
time. As the presiding officer of this chapter, I place 
within the center of our memorial star these flowers, 
reminding us that loyalty to each other and our superior 
officers is the union by which alone we stand and render 
•our labors beautiful, and that this is but a symbol of the 
loyalty we also owe to the Center of all light and life. 
[Places cluster in center of star.] 

You, my sisters, have placed your emblems testifying 
to the fidelity, the constancy, the purity, the immortality 
and the fervency of that love which reaches even beyond 
the grave. 

[Taking white flower in her hand.] 

This flower of purest white was, only a short time ago, 
a closely-sealed bud, the seed of which had to be planted 
in mother earth, or we could never have seen the glorious 
flower. Thus it was with the friends we mourn. The 
cold earth has received the human casket which we knew 
and loved, but Christianity teaches that Death is but an 
event in the grand march cf the soul, and that that 
which is sown in corruption is raised in incorruption. In 
anticipation of the reunion hour I place this spotless 
flower as a last tribute to our fraternal dead. 

[Places flower on top of star, and steps back to position between 
Adah and Electa— facing east.] 

Worthy Patron, will you, who have so often officiated at 
this sacred altar, offer for the chapter renewed conse- 
cration. 

[The Worthy Patron calls up chapter, and to slow music proceeds 
to west of altar. Worthy Matron and officers face altar.] 

(14) 



PRAYER. 

O Father of Mercies, our only help in time of need 
with Whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence 
in the Lord, we give Thee thanks for the good examples 
of all Thy servants who, having finished their course in 
faith, do now rest from their labors. We humbly beseech 
Thee for grace to fulfill the duties we owe to each other 
and to Thee. Direct us in all our doings, and favcr us 
with Thy continual help, that in every walk of life we 
may so follow the teachings of Thy dear Son that we, 
with all those who have departed in the true faith of Thy 
Holy Name, may be gathered in the land where Death 
comes not. Amen. 

Response. — So may it ever be. 
[Worthy Patron and other officers repair to stations, slow music] 

HYMN. 

The weary labyrinth of earth 

Has fewer hopes than fears, 
Our path, e'en from our very birth, 

Is clouded oft with tears ; 
We clasp the warm, fraternal hand 

Of friends we love and trust, 
And lo ! they've reached the shadow-land, 

Leaving with us — but dust. 

Have we but Martha's earnest faith 

To lift the funeral gloom, 
We gain the victory over death 

Through Him Who burst the tomb. 
Christ points us to that city fair, 

High walled, with pearly gate, 
Within the many mansions there 

His ransomed children wait. 

We then will trust for His dear sake- 
Till faith be lost in sight- 
That those who sleep in Jesus wake 

In God's eternal light. 
His Star we see, Lord, let lis come 

With those who've gone before 
To worship Him, and rest at home 
Where partings are no more. 
(15) 



A. M. — Sisters and Brothers of Chapter, we 

have received repeated assurances of the shortness of time 
and that every day man goeth to his long home, and the 
mourners go about the streets. 

Shall not these solemn lessons impress upon us the re- 
sponsibility and grandeur of this life, which is but a vesti- 
bule to an unending existence ? 

Response. — Even so. 

A. M. — Worthy Matron, you have heard the response 
of this chapter ; let it comfort you with the assurance that 
we will all labor as never before for the great principles 
we are banded together to promote. 

W. M. — It is well. In the trust that we go forth from 
this room with renewed loyalty to each other, and in- 
creased strength for the trials of life I declare this chapter 
of sorrow closed. 



Angelic Visitors. 



COMPOSED FOR THE TRIENNIAL ASSEMBLY OF THE GENERAL GRAND 

CHAPTER, O. E. S., SEPTEMBER, 1886, AND FRATERNALLY 

INSCRIBED TO MRS. ADDIE C. S. ENGLE, BY 

ROB. MORRIS, POET LAUREATE. 

If to our world dear lost ones would descend, 

If Ruth and Martha would in kindness bend, 

With Esther and Electa from the sky 

And sanctify our harmony, 

I think while in fraternal bonds we meet, 

Our happiness [services], my sisters, were complete. 

So hard is life, so anxious and unsure, 
So much there is to combat and endure, 
We need a greater than an earthly hope, 
To buoy our dull, despondent spirits up ; 

Oh, God, Thou fountain of all-perfect love, 
Send messengers of comfort from above. 

So shall the assembly of the Eastern Star, 

Be like the gatherings where the angles are ; 

So shall one perfect peace possess each heart 

And give full consolation ere we part ; 

While every evil thought shall lade away 
And nought remain but one perpetual day. 
(16) 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



027 272 075 7 



